It’s a crying shame but Stuart Holden has finally announced his retirement today after succumbing in his prolonged battle to overcome a succession of knee knacks.

The 30-year-old former USA international midfielder managed just 38 appearances for Bolton in four years at the club after first suffering a nasty cruciate knee injury in a game against Manchester United in 2011.

Two subsequent major cruciate injuries followed, the last coming just 23 minutes into his comeback in the reserves in March 2014.

Speaking via the US Soccer website, Holden made the emotional announcement that he’s finally accepted the inevitable.

It’s time to stop fighting my body. I’ve known for a while, but I’ve struggled to admit it to myself and to others.

The countless sleepless nights, the aches and pains, and the constant mental battles were all signs pointing to a new path.

But every time I was about to utter the three big words “I am retired”

Holden also wrote a farewell letter to his beloved Bolton on the club’s official website in which he thanked the fans for their undying support over the years.

I will always be a Bolton supporter and the club will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I’m already looking forward to the next opportunity at which I’m able to come back and say hello to everyone.

If all we have now are memories then let’s remember the best – beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1 on derby day.

They’ll always love you for that, Stuart. No worries.

A hard-working little grafter who played the game with an unflinchingly ebullient spirit, there goes a decent player robbed of his footballing prime by forces beyond his control. Unfortunately, it’s a sad fact of life that sometimes bad things happen to good people.

2Comments

Classy shout out, Pies. Thank you. As a 20 year American follower of English football and a diehard supporter of US Soccer, this one was a gut punch, though expected if we’re honest. I’d argue he was a shade better than a grafter, you could make a real argument he was one of the top 5 or 6 most influential midfielders in the Prem that one near-full season he got before Johnny Evans’ horror tackle. He could have been the midfield string-puller we haven’t had on the US squad since Claudio Reyna. And spot on about his attitude. He’s been nothing short of inspiring throughout his entire ordeal. Wish him the best but this one struck me hard for all of the “what ifs”

Forces beyond his control for sure. Especially when those forces are named Nigel DeJong and Jonny Evans. Truly unfortunate as his pairing with Michael Bradley would have been very fruitful for the USMNT midfield.